ACIP Updates RSV, flu Vaccine Recommendations for 2025

⁤ ⁤ Updated June 28,⁢ 2025

Atlanta ⁢- The Advisory⁤ Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a panel of medical and public health experts advising the CDC, convened June 25-26 in Atlanta to discuss and vote on key vaccine recommendations. The ⁣committee addressed the prevention of RSV and influenza, focusing on safety and efficacy.

A notable vote concerned clesrovimab,a monoclonal antibody aimed ⁤at protecting infants from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The ACIP voted 5-2 to approve a single dose for infants whose mothers did⁣ not receive an RSV vaccine ⁣during pregnancy. Clesrovimab joins another similar ⁣product in the fight against⁤ RSV.

in a unanimous 7-0 vote, the‍ committee also approved an updated resolution for⁣ the Vaccines for ‍Children Program regarding RSV prevention. This move⁣ aims to⁢ broaden access to preventative measures for vulnerable children.

The ACIP reaffirmed its long-standing recommendation for annual influenza vaccination.By a vote of 6-0, the⁤ committee stated that everyone over six months old should receive a flu shot each year, provided there are no medical contraindications. This annual flu vaccine recommendation underscores⁢ the importance of yearly protection against‍ influenza.

Furthermore, the committee addressed concerns about thimerosal, a ⁤preservative previously used in some vaccines. By a 5-1 vote, the ACIP recommended that children 18 and younger, pregnant women, and all adults should receive seasonal influenza vaccines formulated without thimerosal. This recommendation reflects a preference for single-dose, thimerosal-free options.

The ACIP’s recommendations are forwarded to the CDC Director for⁣ review. If adopted, they⁣ are published in the CDC’s Morbidity ⁢and Mortality Weekly Report as⁢ official guidance from the⁣ CDC ⁣and HHS. The CDC Director also informs the Secretary ⁢of Health and Human Services and the Assistant Secretary for Health of the new immunization recommendations. The ACIP plays a crucial role in shaping public health policy ⁣regarding vaccines and immunization.

The committee members released a statement emphasizing ‍their commitment to public health. “Honesty, clarity, and compassion with regard to public health,” the statement ⁢read.⁤ “These are the three pillars that we, the‍ new ACIP members, are⁢ guided⁢ by. Our central duty is to‍ protect public health, and we understand that we ⁢must answer the call for reestablishing⁢ confidence in the scientific examination ⁢process.”

The statement continued, “This committee strongly supports the use of‍ vaccines, and other countermeasures, predicated on evidence-based medicine, including rigorous evaluation ⁤and expansive, ⁣credible scientific data, for both safety and efficacy.”

What’s next

The ACIP plans to convene again⁣ in the third quarter of 2025 to further discuss and refine vaccine recommendations, continuing its mission⁣ to ⁢protect public health through informed and evidence-based guidance.⁢ The committee will continue to assess data collection programs to evaluate both short- and long-term side⁢ effects of vaccines.